Ray Dieno

Rate: $450 / hour

• 778-749-0978
• support@v-law.ca

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About Ray

Raymond Dieno is a seasoned family and criminal lawyer with over 30 years of courtroom experience, known in the legal community as “The Hammer” for his relentless advocacy, fearless cross-examination, and unwavering commitment to justice.

Over three decades, Ray has defended clients facing the most serious and high-profile criminal matters across Western Canada — including multiple murder trials, dangerous offender applications, and complex indictable prosecutions in British Columbia, Alberta, and the Yukon.

Today, Ray brings that same precision, intensity, and strategic clarity into his family law practice. He supports clients navigating high-conflict separations, serious allegations, and emotionally charged disputes with significant personal or reputational stakes. His blended criminal-family background gives him a unique advantage in cases involving credibility disputes, protection issues, or complex evidence — making him the trusted choice for clients who need both strength and stability when the stakes are highest.

“A lawyer who actually fights for them.”

Notable Background

• Over 30 years of experience practising both family and criminal law
• Known province-wide as “The Hammer” for powerful, effective courtroom advocacy
• 6+ years of focused family law experience (early career + current practice since 2023)
• 30 years of criminal trial experience across major courts and jurisdictions
• Handled 100+ serious criminal matters, including high-profile homicide and violent crime cases
• Regular appearances in both Provincial and Supreme Court of British Columbia
• Trial experience spanning BC, Alberta, and Yukon courts

Mission

To protect people who feel unheard or unfairly treated and ensure they receive fair access to justice and preserve their freedom.

To help children and families move forward with safety, dignity, and stability.

Personal Philosophy

• Justice is not just a legal concept — it’s a human one
• Families deserve closure, not destruction
• Children need stability more than anything
• Vulnerable clients deserve lawyers who will actually fight for them
• Empathy and strength can — and must — coexist
• Freedom of speech is the number one and most important freedom a citizen must have in a democracy

Education

LL.B. — University of Victoria, 1993
Called to the Bar of British Columbia, 1998

Achievements & Court Victories

• Successfully defended multiple first-degree murder trials resulting in acquittals or reduced charges
• Secured fair verdicts in dangerous offender and long-term offender applications based on facts, not race
• Repeatedly obtained bail for clients charged with serious offences when release was vigorously opposed
• Negotiated or litigated favourable parenting and protection outcomes in high-conflict family files involving MCFD, serious allegations of violence, and parental alienation

Get to Know Ray

Happily married, proud father, and lifelong student of history, strategy, and human nature. When not in court, Ray is usually planning his next travel adventure or deep in a great book.

Favourite Hobby: Travel and exploring new cultures (ever since Japan in 1995)
Favourite Book: “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl (reads it every few years)
Biggest Pet Peeve: Dishonesty — in court, in clients, or in life
Can’t Live Without: Strong coffee, his Frank Zappa albums, his passport, and his family
Biggest Role Model: Clayton Ruby — fight not for the win, but for the world it builds. Empathy with a knockout punch; duty over anger, every time.
Greatest Inspiration: The late Doug Christie — “The Battler.” His absolute fearlessness in defending unpopular clients and unpopular causes, while never compromising civility or ethics, showed Ray that a lawyer can be both a warrior and a gentleman.
Next Travel Destination: Iceland — raw, honest, and unforgettable
What Makes Him Happy: Seeing a client’s face the moment they realise they’re going to be okay

Defining Success in a Complex Family Case

When the children are safe, both parents can co-exist without fear or ongoing war, and my client walks out of the courthouse able to breathe again — knowing the worst is truly behind them. That moment of relief in the hallway is worth every all-nighter.

A Message From Ray

When families face separation, custody decisions, support arrangements, or parenting challenges — or when someone is charged with an offence that threatens their freedom and future — the last thing they need is an impersonal legal machine. They need someone who is fully present, steady, and able to guide them through the storm with patience and quiet strength.

That’s how I practise.

As a one-lawyer firm, every client works directly with me. No junior associates, no handoffs, no waiting for answers. From our first conversation to final resolution, I bring my full focus and care to your situation — the same steady presence I bring to my own family. Clients often say it feels less like “hiring a lawyer” and more like having a trusted guide who listens deeply and keeps things grounded.

Family Law

I help parents and spouses protect what matters most: your children, your home, your financial security, and your peace of mind. My approach is compassionate yet clear, focused on practical, forward-looking solutions that allow families to move forward with dignity.

Criminal Defence

If you’ve been charged with an offence, I stand beside you with calm, strategic advocacy. Whether it’s a first-time matter or more serious, I ensure you understand each step and feel supported — because facing the justice system shouldn’t mean facing it alone.

Living and practising in Victoria has given me a deep appreciation for the community we serve. I understand how high the stakes are when your family or freedom is on the line — and I’m here to anchor you through it.

If you’re looking for steady, personal guidance that puts you first, reach out. My door — and my full attention — are always open. Let’s talk about how to secure a calmer tomorrow for you and those you love.

— Raymond Dieno

Legal Aid services available

For new and existing clients.
New clients may book a 20 minute free consultation.